INS Shalki

INS Shalki has arrived at Columbu, Sri Lanka for a formal visit.

About INS Shalki:

INS Shalki (S-46) is a submarine of the Indian Navy

1. Class and Type: INS Shalki is a Shishumar-class submarine, which is a variant of the German Type 209 submarine.

The Shishumar class is designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.

2. Commissioning: The submarine was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 7 December 1992.

3. Design and Features: Shishumar-class submarines are known for their diesel-electric propulsion systems, which provide a good balance of endurance and performance. They are equipped with torpedo tubes and can carry a variety of torpedoes and missiles.

• These have been developed by German yard Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW)

4. Operational History: INS Shalki, like its sister ships, has played an essential role in India's naval operations, including patrols and exercises in the Indian Ocean region.

The Shalki is part of the Indian Navy's efforts to maintain a robust and capable submarine force, contributing to India's maritime security and strategic interests.

Four Shishumar Class Submarines – Shishumar, Shankush, Shalki and Shankul.

Submarines in India

India deploys a spectrum of conventional and nuclear-powered submarines equipped with suitable sensor suites, armaments and engines fulfilling niche maritime operations.

India has three classes of submarines –

Shishumar class,

Sindhughosh class, and

indigenously developed Kalvari class.

Shishumar class: These 4 submarines were commissioned under technology transfer from Germany.

They carry advanced sensory capabilities optimised for anti-sub and anti-ship warfare to dominate the Arabian Sea.

The commissioned Sishumar class submarines are

INS Shishumar,

INS Shankush,

INS Shalki and

INS Shankul.

Sindhughosh class - It includes 7 active Russian-origin Kilo-class submarines.

A total of 10 submarines were commissioned, 3 of them have been decommissioned.

They contain satellite sensors, radar, sonar and electronic surveillance as well as anti-ship and anti-submarine weaponry.

The commissioned Sindhughosh class submarines are

INS Sindhughosh,

INS Sindhudhvaj,

INS Sindhuraj,

INS Sindhuvir,

INS Sindhuratna and

INS Sindhukesari.

Kalvari class - These are the indigenously built six diesel-electric submarines of Contemporary Barracuda designs under technology transfer from France’s Scorpene class submarines, built at Mazagon Dock.

Names of the Kalvari class submarines (commissioned only) are

INS Kalvari,

INS Khanderi,

INS Karanj,

INS Vela and

INS Vagir.

These submarines have been built under the name of Project 75.

The sixth and final submarine under Project 75, INS Vagsheer, will be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2024.

Further, these submarines are to be loaded with the Air Independent Propulsion under Project 75 (I). All the submarines under Project 75I are under development.

Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarines (SSN)

India presently does not have any nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) in service. The Akula class submarine INS Chakra II, leased from Russia, has been decommissioned in 2021.

However, India has reinforced its SSN lineup by ordering another Akula class submarine (INS Chakra III), planned for induction in 2025.

Moreover, there are plans for indigenous Project 75 Alpha SSNs in the future.

Nuclear ballistic missile submarines (SSBN)

India presently has one SSBN - INS Arihant, an Arihant Class SSBNwhich has been developed indigenously under the Advanced Technology Vessel program.

INS Arihant (S2): Launched in 2009 and commissioned in 2016, it features a double-hull with advanced sensors, periscopes, and weapon systems, including strategic SLBMs.

It can carry either 12 K-15 (Sagarika) missiles with 750 Kms range or 4 K-4 missiles with 3500 Kms range.

INS Arighat (S3): It is India’s second SSBN, being built as an upgraded version of INS Arihant.

Further, S4 and S5 SSBNs are in the planning phase.

ATV Project: The Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project was launched in the 1980s, and marked India’s place in designing and building nuclear-powered submarines, leading to the creation of the Arihant-class submarines.